Prescription Drug Misuse

Overview

Prescription drug misuse is taking any prescription medication that is not prescribed to you or taking it in a way other than how it was prescribed (for example, taking a larger dose than prescribed or for a different illness or symptom than originally prescribed). Non-medical use of prescription drugs is taking a prescription medication for reasons other than a medical condition, such as for the purpose of getting high.

Three types of prescription drugs that are commonly misused and abused include:

-opioids (such as OxyContin, Vicodin, or codeine) used to relieve pain

-depressants (such as Xanax or Valium) used as a sleep aid or to relieve anxiety

-stimulants (such as Adderall or Ritalin) used to treat attention deficit and hyperactivity disorders

Teen trends

Reported prescription drug use among high school students in Vernon in 2013 increased from 2009 and was higher than the regional rate. Many teens and young adults use these prescriptions to get high, help them study, lose weight, or “to take the edge off”. Teens often believe that prescription drugs are safer than “street drugs” like cocaine and heroin. No matter what the reason is, taking prescription medication is very dangerous, especially combined with alcohol or other drugs, and can lead to addiction and illicit drug use (such as heroin use). 70% of teens who abuse prescription drugs admit to getting them from family and friends.

What can parents do?

–Talk to your teens about the dangers of using prescription medications and let them know that drug use of any kind is not acceptable in your home and can lead to addiction.

–Safely store and properly dispose of medications. Keep track of the medications in your home and store them in a secure area. Let your kids know that you will be keeping track of the medications in your home and have asked family friends and relatives to do the same. Visit our safe storage and disposal page for more information.

Connecticut’s Opioid Crisis

Opioid-related overdose deaths in CT have grown at 4 times the national averages since 2012. This crisis is affecting all types of people. Overdoses are more common in suburbs and rural areas than in urban areas. Most people who have problems with opioids are top income earners in their communities. White males are more likely to experience opioid overdose. Now more than ever, we need to join together to face the opioid epidemic.

Learn more about CT’s strategies to overcome the opioid crisis at drugfreect.org.

Remember:

YOU CAN STOP OPIOID MISUSE AND ADDICTION BEFORE IT STARTS.

If you or a loved one does become addicted, EFFECTIVE METHODS OF TREATMENT ARE AVAILABLE

During recovery, there are resources available to GET THE SUPPORT YOU NEED.

Sources: National Institute on Drug Abuse; National Institutes of Health; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Prescription Drug Misuse Resources

Unfortunately, sexual minorities often face social stigma, discrimination, and other challenges like violence and harassment, not experienced by those who identify as heterosexual. These challenges mixed with other stressors lead sexual minorities to be at an increased risk for substance use. According to SAMHSA, substance use disorders affect 20 to 30% of the LGBTQIA+ population, compared to 8.4% of the general population. People who identify as gay and lesbian are more than twice as likely as those who identify as heterosexual to have a severe alcohol or tobacco use disorder. That number raises to three times as likely for people who identify as bisexual, and five times as likely for people who are unsure how to identify their sexuality (National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2017). The Vernon ROCKS Coalition wants everyone to know there are supportive people, and resources to help and you are not alone. We stand in solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ community. Visit our website for more information. www.vernonrocksct.org/pride-month/... See MoreSee Less